Swing lid horizontal surface cover

ABSTRACT

A horizontal surface cover with a cover plate, at least one opening, and at least one access door. The cover plate is configured to cover an electrical device within an electrical box. The at least one opening extends through the cover plate and is sized to allow access to the electrical device through the at least one opening. The at least one access door is sized and shaped to fit within the at least one opening, and has a hinge with a hinge axis. The at least one access door is configured to translate along the hinge axis and rotate about the hinge axis to move between a closed position and an open position. The at least one access door is aligned with and inside of the at least one opening when in the closed position, and is misaligned with the at least one opening when in the open position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/975,182 entitled “Swing Lid HorizontalSurface Cover” to Baldwin that was filed on Feb. 11, 2020, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of this document relate generally to covers for horizontaloutlets, and more specifically to covers for horizontal outlets withswing lids.

BACKGROUND

In many buildings, electrical outlets are built into the floor or otherhorizontal surfaces. While this allows electrical outlets to be placedin much more convenient locations, it also presents some problems. Withan electrical outlet facing upward, it is very easy for water and othercontaminants to fall into the holes for the electrical plugs, creating ashock hazard and making the electrical device inoperable. Electricaloutlet covers with doors are conventionally used to prevent thesecontaminants from entering the horizontal electrical outlet. However,this solution does not sufficiently remedy the problem. For example,when the electrical outlet is not in use, the door may lie flat andflush with the floor, covering the electrical outlet. However, to usethe electrical outlet, the door is pivoted up out of the floor andstands vertically. This creates a tripping hazard, and the door easilybreaks off. In such cases, the electrical outlet is no longer protected.Some users will even disassemble the door from the outlet cover toremove the unsightly and potentially hazardous open doors. What isneeded is a horizontal outlet cover that effectively protects theelectrical outlet while allowing access to the electrical outlet in away that is aesthetically pleasing and does not create additionalpotential tripping hazards.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this document relate to a horizontal surface cover for ahorizontal electrical outlet, comprising a cover plate configured toattach to an electrical box and cover an electrical device within theelectrical box, the cover plate having at least one screw hole extendingtherethrough, at least one opening extending through the cover plate andsized to allow access to the electrical device through the at least oneopening, and at least one access door sized and shaped to fit within theat least one opening, the at least one access door comprising a firstaccess door and a second access door, the first access door having afirst hinge with a first hinge axis perpendicular to the cover plate andthe second access door having a second hinge with a second hinge axisperpendicular to the cover plate, wherein the first access door isconfigured to translate along the first hinge axis between a closedposition and an intermediate position and rotate about the first hingeaxis between the intermediate position and an open position, wherein thefirst hinge rotates from the intermediate position to the open positionin a first direction, wherein the second access door is configured totranslate along the second hinge axis between a closed position and anintermediate position and rotate about the second hinge axis between theintermediate position and an open position, wherein the second hingerotates from the intermediate position to the open position in a seconddirection opposite the first direction, and wherein when the at leastone access door is in the closed position, the at least one access dooris aligned with and inside of the at least one opening, when the atleast one access door is in the intermediate position, the at least oneaccess door is aligned with but outside of the at least one opening, andwhen the at least one access door is in the open position, the at leastone access door is misaligned with the at least one opening.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The cover plate may further have a top surface, wherein whenthe at least one access door is in the closed position, the at least oneaccess door is flush with the top surface. The horizontal surface covermay further comprise at least one latch configured to lock the at leastone access door in the closed position. One of the at least one accessdoor and the latch may have a lip and the other of the at least oneaccess door and the latch may have an indentation, the lip and theindentation may be configured to mate, and the at least one access doormay be configured to unlock when the lip is removed from theindentation.

Aspects of this document relate to a horizontal surface cover,comprising a cover plate configured to cover an electrical device withinan electrical box, at least one opening extending through the coverplate and sized to allow access to the electrical device through the atleast one opening, and at least one access door sized and shaped to fitwithin the at least one opening, the at least one access door comprisinga first access door and a second access door, the first access doorhaving a first hinge with a first hinge axis and the second access doorhaving a second hinge with a second hinge axis, wherein the first accessdoor is configured to translate along the first hinge axis and rotateabout the first hinge axis to move between a closed position and an openposition, wherein the second access door is configured to translatealong the second hinge axis and rotate about the second hinge axis tomove between a closed position and an open position, and wherein whenthe at least one access door is in the closed position, the at least oneaccess door is aligned with and inside of the at least one opening, andwhen the at least one access door is in the open position, the at leastone access door is misaligned with the at least one opening.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The first hinge axis and the second hinge axis may each beperpendicular to the cover plate. The first hinge may rotate from theintermediate position to the open position in a first direction, and thesecond hinge may rotate from the intermediate position to the openposition in a second direction opposite the first direction. The firstaccess door may be configured to translate along the first hinge axisbetween the closed position and an intermediate position and rotateabout the first hinge axis between the intermediate position and theopen position, wherein, when the first access door is in theintermediate position, the first access door is aligned with but outsideof the at least one opening. The second access door may be configured totranslate along the second hinge axis between the closed position and anintermediate position and rotate about the second hinge axis between theintermediate position and the open position, wherein, when the secondaccess door is in the intermediate position, the second access door isaligned with but outside of the at least one opening. The cover platemay further have a top surface, wherein when the at least one accessdoor is in the closed position, the at least one access door is flushwith the top surface. The horizontal surface cover may further compriseat least one latch configured to lock the at least one access door inthe closed position. One of the at least one access door and the latchmay have a lip and the other of the at least one access door and thelatch may have an indentation, the lip and the indentation may beconfigured to mate, and the at least one access door may be configuredto unlock when the lip is removed from the indentation.

Aspects of this document relate to a horizontal surface cover,comprising a cover plate configured to cover an electrical device withinan electrical box, at least one opening extending through the coverplate and sized to allow access to the electrical device through the atleast one opening, and at least one access door sized and shaped to fitwithin the at least one opening, the at least one access door having ahinge with a hinge axis, wherein the at least one access door isconfigured to translate along the hinge axis and rotate about the hingeaxis to move between a closed position and an open position, and whereinwhen the at least one access door is in the closed position, the atleast one access door is aligned with and inside of the at least oneopening, and when the at least one access door is in the open position,the at least one access door is misaligned with the at least oneopening.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The at least one access door may be configured to translatealong the hinge axis between the closed position and an intermediateposition and rotate about the hinge axis between the intermediateposition and the open position, wherein, when the at least one accessdoor is in the intermediate position, the at least one access door isaligned with but outside of the at least one opening. The hinge axis maybe perpendicular to the cover plate. The horizontal surface cover mayfurther comprise the electrical box configured to surround theelectrical device and couple with the cover plate and the electricaldevice configured to electrically couple with and provide power to anelectrical plug. The cover plate may have at least one screw holeextending therethrough. The horizontal surface cover may furthercomprise at least one latch configured to lock the at least one accessdoor in the closed position. One of the at least one access door and thelatch may have a lip and the other of the at least one access door andthe latch may have an indentation, the lip and the indentation may beconfigured to mate, and the at least one access door may be configuredto unlock when the lip is removed from the indentation. The cover platemay further have a top surface, wherein when the at least one accessdoor is in the closed position, the at least one access door is flushwith the top surface.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, applications, and advantageswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from thespecification, drawings, and the claims. Unless specifically noted, itis intended that the words and phrases in the specification and theclaims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to thoseof ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully awarethat they can be their own lexicographers if desired. The inventorsexpressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain andordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claims unless theyclearly state otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the“special” definition of that term and explain how it differs from theplain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent toapply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent and desirethat the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied tothe interpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar.Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be furthercharacterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term,or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptiveterms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts ofEnglish grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms,or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases begiven their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in theapplicable arts as set forth above.

Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards andapplication of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Thus, theuse of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the DetailedDescription or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended tosomehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C.§ 112(f), to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are sought to be invoked to define the inventions,the claims will specifically and expressly state the exact phrases“means for” or “step for”, and will also recite the word “function”(i.e., will state “means for performing the function of [insertfunction]”), without also reciting in such phrases any structure,material or act in support of the function. Thus, even when the claimsrecite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or “step forperforming the function of . . . ,” if the claims also recite anystructure, material or acts in support of that means or step, or thatperform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of theinventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). Moreover,even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are invoked to define theclaimed aspects, it is intended that these aspects not be limited onlyto the specific structure, material or acts that are described in thepreferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures,materials or acts that perform the claimed function as described inalternative embodiments or forms of the disclosure, or that are wellknown present or later-developed, equivalent structures, material oracts for performing the claimed function.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the specification,drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a horizontal surface cover for ahorizontal electrical outlet with the access doors in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surface cover shown in FIG. 1 , withthe access doors in an intermediate position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the surface cover shown in FIG. 2 , withthe access doors in an open position.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the surface cover shown in FIG. 1, with the access doors in the open position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the surface cover shown in FIG. 1installed on an electrical box.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific material types, components, methods, or other examplesdisclosed herein. Many additional material types, components, methods,and procedures known in the art are contemplated for use with particularimplementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, althoughparticular implementations are disclosed, such implementations andimplementing components may comprise any components, models, types,materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the artfor such systems and implementing components, consistent with theintended operation.

The word “exemplary,” “example,” or various forms thereof are usedherein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Anyaspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otheraspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely forpurposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit orrestrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of thisdisclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad ofadditional or alternate examples of varying scope could have beenpresented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity.

While this disclosure includes a number of implementations that aredescribed in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings andwill herein be described in detail particular implementations with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems,and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed conceptsto the implementations illustrated.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustrationpossible implementations. It is to be understood that otherimplementations may be utilized, and structural, as well as procedural,changes may be made without departing from the scope of this document.As a matter of convenience, various components will be described usingexemplary materials, sizes, shapes, dimensions, and the like. However,this document is not limited to the stated examples and otherconfigurations are possible and within the teachings of the presentdisclosure. As will become apparent, changes may be made in the functionand/or arrangement of any of the elements described in the disclosedexemplary implementations without departing from the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to a horizontal surface cover 100 for anelectrical device 102 such as an electrical outlet. In some embodiments,the electrical device 102 is located on a horizontal surface, such as afloor. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate one embodiment of the horizontal surfacecover 100. The surface cover 100 comprises a cover plate 104, at leastone opening 106, and at least one access door 108. The cover plate 104is configured to attach to an electrical box 110 and cover theelectrical device 102 within the electrical box 110, thus providingprotection to the electrical device 102. The cover plate 104 may have atleast one screw hole 112 extending therethrough. The at least one screwhole 112 allows a screw 114 to couple the cover plate 104 to theelectrical box 110 or the electrical device 102 (see FIG. 6 ). The atleast one opening 106 extends through the cover plate 104 and is sizedto allow access to the electrical device 102 through the at least oneopening 106. Thus, devices such as electrical cords can be coupled withthe electrical device 102 through the at least one opening 106.

The at least one access door 108 is sized and shaped to fit with the atleast one opening 106. In some embodiments, the at least one access door108 comprises a first access door 116 and a second access door 118. Inembodiments with at least two access doors 108, the at least one opening106 can be uncovered to allow access to the electrical device 102without uncovering the entire at least one opening 106. For example, inembodiments with at least two access doors 108 covering an electricaldevice 102 with two receptacles 120, the first access door 116 may beopened while leaving the second access door 118 closed. An electricalcord may be inserted through the at least one opening 106 and coupledwith one of the two electrical receptacles 120 without requiring thatthe second access door 118 be opened.

Each access door 108 of the at least one access door 108, including thefirst access door 116 and the second access door 118, has a hinge 122with a hinge axis 124. Each hinge axis 124 may be perpendicular to thecover plate 104. In addition, each hinge 122 may be configured totranslate along the hinge axis 124 between a closed position (FIG. 1 )and an intermediate position (FIG. 3 ), and to rotate about the hingeaxis 124 between the intermediate position (FIG. 3 ) and an openposition (FIGS. 4-5 ). In some embodiments, the hinge 122 rotates fromthe intermediate position (FIG. 3 ) to the open position (FIGS. 4-5 ) ina first direction. The first direction may be clockwise. In someembodiments with at least two access doors 108, the hinge 122 of thefirst access door 116 rotates from the intermediate position (FIG. 3 )to the open position (FIGS. 4-5 ) in the first direction, while thehinge 122 of the second access door 118 rotates from the intermediateposition (FIG. 3 ) to the open position (FIGS. 4-5 ) in a seconddirection opposite the first direction. In other embodiments with atleast two access doors 108, the first access door 116 and the secondaccess door 118 rotate from the intermediate position (FIG. 3 ) to theopen position (FIGS. 4-5 ) in the same direction.

When the at least one access door 108 is in the closed position (FIG. 1), the at least one access door 108 is aligned with and inside of the atleast one opening 106. In some embodiments, the cover plate 104 has atop surface 126, and when the at least one access door 108 is in theclosed position (FIG. 1 ), the at least on access door is flush with thetop surface 126. Thus, when in the closed position (FIG. 1 ), the atleast one access door 108 covers the at least one opening 106 andprotects the electrical device 102 without protruding up from the floor.When the at least one access door 108 is in the intermediate position(FIG. 3 ), the at least one access door is aligned with the at least oneopening 106, but is outside of the at least one opening 106. When the atleast one access door 108 is in the open position (FIGS. 4-5 ), the atleast one access door 108 is misaligned with the at least one opening106, thus providing access to the electrical device 102 through the atleast one opening 106. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 , whenmoving from the closed position (FIG. 1 ) to the open position (FIG. 4-5), the at least one access door 108 cannot rotate about the hinge axis124 without first reaching the intermediate position (FIG. 3 ) becausethe at least one opening 106 constrains the ability of the at least oneaccess door 108 to rotate. However, other embodiments may have differentopenings 106 that allow rotation about and translation along the hingeaxis 124 simultaneously or in a different order. In some embodimentswith at least two access doors 108, one of the at least two access doors108 may be in the open position (FIGS. 4-5 ) while the others of the atleast two access doors 108 may be in the closed position (FIG. 1 ).

The surface cover 100 may also comprise at least one latch 128configured to lock the at least one access door 108 in the closedposition. One of the at least one access door 108 and the latch 128 mayhave a lip 130 and the other of the at least one access door 108 and thelatch 128 may have an indentation 132. The lip 130 and the indentation132 are configured to mate. Thus, when the at least one access door 108is locked in the closed position by the at least one latch 128, the lip130 and the indentation 132 are mated. When the lip 130 is removed fromthe indentation 132, the at least one access door 108 may be configuredto unlock. The at least one latch 128 may unlock through a translation(compare the latch 128 in FIG. 1 with the latch 128 in FIG. 3 ) orthrough a rotation. Additionally, the surface cover 100 may comprise theelectrical box 110 and the electrical device 102. The electrical box 110is configured to surround the electrical device 102 and couple with thecover plate 104. The electrical device 102 is configured to electricallycouple with and provide power to an electrical plug.

The at least one access door 108 may be biased towards specificpositions. For example, in one embodiment, the at least one access door108 is rotationally biased toward the intermediate position. Such a biascauses this embodiment to move to the intermediate positionautomatically unless an object interferes. For example, when anelectrical cord is coupled with the electrical device 102 through the atleast one opening 106 and the at least one access door 108 has such abias, the at least one access door 108 does not move to the intermediateposition because it is blocked by the electrical cord. Once theelectrical cord is removed, the at least one access door 108automatically moves to the intermediate position. As another example,the at least one access door 108 may be translationally biased towardsthe intermediate position. If such an embodiment also has at least onelatch 128, when the at least one access door 108 is unlocked, the atleast one access door may move automatically from the closed position tothe intermediate position. The at least one access door 108 may also berotationally biased toward the open position. Thus, when the at leastone access door 108 reaches the intermediate position, the at least oneaccess door 108 may automatically move from the intermediate position tothe open position. Lastly, the at least one access door 108 may betranslationally biased towards the closed position. In such anembodiment, once the at least one access door 108 reaches theintermediate position, the at least one access door 108 mayautomatically move into the closed position.

Any combination of the above biases may also be implemented. Forexample, in one embodiment, the at least one access door 108 istranslationally biased toward the intermediate position and rotationallybiased toward the open position. Such a bias causes this embodiment tomove to the open position automatically from the closed position becausethe translational bias moves the at least one access door 108 from theclosed position to the intermediate position, and the rotational biasmoves the at least one access door 108 from the intermediate position tothe open position. In such an embodiment, the at least one latch 128 maybe used to hold the at least one access door 108 in the closed position.Alternatively, the at least one access door 108 may be rotationallybiased toward the intermediate position and translationally biasedtoward the closed position. In such an embodiment, the at least oneaccess door 108 moves to the closed position automatically because therotational bias moves the at least one access door 108 from the openposition to the intermediate position, and the translational bias movesthe at least one access door 108 from the intermediate position to theclosed position. Other combinations of biases are also possible. Thetranslational bias may be created using a linear spring and therotational bias may be created using a rotational spring. Other methodsfor providing a bias may be used as well, such as a cam and spring, orother bias element.

Implementing the subject matter of the present disclosure helps torestrict the entrance of water and other contaminants into theelectrical device 102, thus reducing the likelihood of a shock hazard orfire hazard. In addition, a trip hazard is not created when the at leastone access door 108 is in the intermediate or open positions due to thelow profile of the at least one access door 108.

It will be understood that implementations of a horizontal surface coverare not limited to the specific assemblies, devices and componentsdisclosed in this document, as virtually any assemblies, devices andcomponents consistent with the intended operation of a horizontalsurface cover may be used. Accordingly, for example, although particularhorizontal surface covers, and other assemblies, devices and componentsare disclosed, such may include any shape, size, style, type, model,version, class, measurement, concentration, material, weight, quantity,and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of horizontalsurface covers. Implementations are not limited to uses of any specificassemblies, devices and components; provided that the assemblies,devices and components selected are consistent with the intendedoperation of a horizontal surface cover.

Accordingly, the components defining any horizontal surface cover may beformed of any of many different types of materials or combinationsthereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that thematerials selected are consistent with the intended operation of ahorizontal surface cover. For example, the components may be formed of:polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers,Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/orthe like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide,Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof,and/or other like materials; glasses (such as quartz glass),carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other likematerials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc,magnesium, titanium, copper, lead, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloysteel, tool steel, stainless steel, brass, nickel, tin, antimony, purealuminum, 1100 aluminum, aluminum alloy, any combination thereof, and/orother like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy,magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or otherlike materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination ofthe foregoing thereof. In instances where a part, component, feature, orelement is governed by a standard, rule, code, or other requirement, thepart may be made in accordance with, and to comply under such standard,rule, code, or other requirement.

Various horizontal surface covers may be manufactured using conventionalprocedures as added to and improved upon through the proceduresdescribed here. Some components defining a horizontal surface cover maybe manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another,while other components may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufacturedseparately and then assembled with the integral components. Variousimplementations may be manufactured using conventional procedures asadded to and improved upon through the procedures described here.

Accordingly, manufacture of these components separately orsimultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming,injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting,forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding,stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting,punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components aremanufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another inany manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, anut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, anycombination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, amongother considerations, the particular material forming the components.

It will be understood that methods for manufacturing or assemblinghorizontal surface covers are not limited to the specific order of stepsas disclosed in this document. Any steps or sequence of steps of theassembly of a horizontal surface cover indicated herein are given asexamples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not as limitations,since various assembly processes and sequences of steps may be used toassemble horizontal surface covers.

The implementations of a horizontal surface cover described are by wayof example or explanation and not by way of limitation. Rather, anydescription relating to the foregoing is for the exemplary purposes ofthis disclosure, and implementations may also be used with similarresults for a variety of other applications employing a horizontalsurface cover.

What is claimed is:
 1. A horizontal surface cover for a horizontalelectrical outlet, comprising: a cover plate configured to attach to anelectrical box and cover an electrical device within the electrical box,the cover plate having at least one screw hole extending therethrough;at least one opening extending through the cover plate and sized toallow access to the electrical device through the at least one opening;at least one access door sized and shaped to fit within the at least oneopening, the at least one access door comprising a first access door anda second access door, the first access door having a first hinge with afirst hinge axis perpendicular to the cover plate and the second accessdoor having a second hinge with a second hinge axis perpendicular to thecover plate; and at least one latch configured to lock the at least oneaccess door in the closed position, wherein the at least one latch isconfigured to move with respect to the cover plate between a lockedposition and an unlocked position; wherein the first access door isconfigured to translate along the first hinge axis between a closedposition and an intermediate position and rotate about the first hingeaxis between the intermediate position and an open position, wherein thefirst hinge rotates from the intermediate position to the open positionin a first direction; wherein the second access door is configured totranslate along the second hinge axis between a closed position and anintermediate position and rotate about the second hinge axis between theintermediate position and an open position, wherein the second hingerotates from the intermediate position to the open position in a seconddirection opposite the first direction; and wherein when the at leastone access door is in the closed position, the at least one access dooris aligned with and inside of the at least one opening, when the atleast one access door is in the intermediate position, the at least oneaccess door is aligned with but outside of the at least one opening, andwhen the at least one access door is in the open position, the at leastone access door is misaligned with the at least one opening.
 2. Thehorizontal surface cover of claim 1, the cover plate further having atop surface, wherein when the at least one access door is in the closedposition, the at least one access door is flush with the top surface. 3.The horizontal surface cover of claim 1, wherein each of the firstaccess door and the second access door is translationally biased towardthe intermediate position and rotationally biased toward the openposition.
 4. The horizontal surface cover of claim 1, wherein each ofthe first access door and the second access door is translationallybiased toward one of the intermediate position and the closed positionand rotationally biased toward one of the open position and the closedposition.
 5. A horizontal surface cover, comprising: a cover plateconfigured to cover an electrical device within an electrical box; atleast one opening extending through the cover plate and sized to allowaccess to the electrical device through the at least one opening; atleast one access door sized and shaped to fit within the at least oneopening, the at least one access door comprising a first access door anda second access door, the first access door having a first hinge with afirst hinge axis and the second access door having a second hinge with asecond hinge axis; and at least one latch positioned on a face of thecover plate and configured to lock the at least one access door in theclosed position, wherein the at least one latch is configured to movewith respect to the cover plate between a locked position and anunlocked position; wherein the first access door is configured totranslate along the first hinge axis and rotate about the first hingeaxis to move between a closed position and an open position; wherein thesecond access door is configured to translate along the second hingeaxis and rotate about the second hinge axis to move between a closedposition and an open position; and wherein when the at least one accessdoor is in the closed position, the at least one access door is alignedwith and inside of the at least one opening, and when the at least oneaccess door is in the open position, the at least one access door ismisaligned with the at least one opening.
 6. The horizontal surfacecover of claim 5, wherein the first hinge axis and the second hinge axisare each perpendicular to the cover plate.
 7. The horizontal surfacecover of claim 5, wherein the first hinge rotates from the intermediateposition to the open position in a first direction, and the second hingerotates from the intermediate position to the open position in a seconddirection opposite the first direction.
 8. The horizontal surface coverof claim 5, wherein the first access door is configured to translatealong the first hinge axis between the closed position and anintermediate position and rotate about the first hinge axis between theintermediate position and the open position, wherein, when the firstaccess door is in the intermediate position, the first access door isaligned with but outside of the at least one opening.
 9. The horizontalsurface cover of claim 5, wherein the second access door is configuredto translate along the second hinge axis between the closed position andan intermediate position and rotate about the second hinge axis betweenthe intermediate position and the open position, wherein, when thesecond access door is in the intermediate position, the second accessdoor is aligned with but outside of the at least one opening.
 10. Thehorizontal surface cover of claim 5, the cover plate further having atop surface, wherein when the at least one access door is in the closedposition, the at least one access door is flush with the top surface.11. The horizontal surface cover of claim 5, wherein each of the firstaccess door and the second access door is rotationally biased toward theopen position.
 12. The horizontal surface cover of claim 5, wherein eachof the first access door and the second access door is translationallybiased toward one of the intermediate position and the closed positionand rotationally biased toward one of the open position and the closedposition.
 13. A horizontal surface cover, comprising: a cover plateconfigured to cover an electrical device within an electrical box; atleast one opening extending through the cover plate and sized to allowaccess to the electrical device through the at least one opening; and atleast one access door sized and shaped to fit within the at least oneopening, the at least one access door having a hinge with a hinge axis;wherein the at least one access door is configured to translate alongthe hinge axis and rotate about the hinge axis to move between a closedposition and an open position; wherein when the at least one access dooris in the closed position, the at least one access door is aligned withand inside of the at least one opening, and when the at least one accessdoor is in the open position, the at least one access door is misalignedwith the at least one opening; and wherein each of the first access doorand the second access door is rotationally biased toward one of the openposition and the closed position.
 14. The horizontal surface cover ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one access door is configured totranslate along the hinge axis between the closed position and anintermediate position and rotate about the hinge axis between theintermediate position and the open position, wherein, when the at leastone access door is in the intermediate position, the at least one accessdoor is aligned with but outside of the at least one opening.
 15. Thehorizontal surface cover of claim 13, wherein the hinge axis isperpendicular to the cover plate.
 16. The horizontal surface cover ofclaim 13, further comprising: the electrical box configured to surroundthe electrical device and couple with the cover plate; and theelectrical device configured to electrically couple with and providepower to an electrical plug.
 17. The horizontal surface cover of claim13, the cover plate having at least one screw hole extendingtherethrough.
 18. The horizontal surface cover of claim 13, furthercomprising at least one latch configured to move with respect to thecover plate between a locked position and an unlocked position.
 19. Thehorizontal surface cover of claim 13, further comprising at least onelatch, wherein one of the at least one access door and the latch has alip and the other of the at least one access door and the latch has anindentation, the lip and the indentation are configured to mate, and theat least one access door is configured to unlock when the lip is removedfrom the indentation.
 20. The horizontal surface cover of claim 13, thecover plate further having a top surface, wherein when the at least oneaccess door is in the closed position, the at least one access door isflush with the top surface.